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AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics

(free curriculum and free PD)

Course Description

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AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics (APCSPR) is a College Board-endorsed course for teaching AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) and preparing students for the corresponding AP exam. The course has been developed in a partnership between Barobo and the C-STEM Center at the University of California, Davis.

 

The course is aligned with the 5 big ideas, 6 computational thinking practices, 12 enduring understandings, and hundreds of essential knowledge statements established by the College Board for an AP CSP course. Throughout the course students learn computational thinking and software development for practical applications, including number systems, data types, iteration, selection, arrays, lists, and functions. Students will also explore the working principles of the internet and networking, the analysis and visualization of data, the limits of computing, and the local and global impacts of computing. The course includes a design and development project that satisfies the AP Performance Task requirement. 

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APCSPR Curriculum Cost: FREE

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Teachers in the United States who successfully complete an authorized Professional Learning workshop on teaching the APCSPR course (more info below) are provided with a free annual instructor license to the APCSPR curriculum and RoboBlocky Learning Management System for the course. Students who are enrolled in the instructor's RoboBlocky APCSPR course also have free access to the curriculum during the period of the course.

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Teachers with a regular RoboBlocky instructor's license can access the APCSPR curriculum at no additional cost. 

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APCSPR Professional Learning (PL) Workshops: FREE

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Completion of Professional Learning from approved providers is recommended for teachers planning to teach AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics for the first time. To do so, complete ONE of the following FREE PL options. No prior coding and robotics experience is required.

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  • Professional Learning from the UC Davis C-STEM Center:

    • Free virtual workshop on Teaching AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics, to be held July 8-11, 2024, 8:30 am-2:30 pm PDT (online via Zoom). For more information or to indicate your interest in this workshop, please fill out and submit this form. Please also note that participants in the free workshop need to be committed to teaching the course during the 2024-2025 school year, as evidenced by a signed commitment letter from their principal.

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  • Professional Learning from Barobo:

    • Free 1-day virtual workshop on Quick Start on Teaching AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics, for teachers who have experience teaching AP Computer Science Principles. Date/time: Friday, June 21, 8:30 am-2:30 pm PDT. For more information or to indicate your interest in this workshop, please fill out and submit this form.

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Innovative Features

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The course provides maximum engagement for students through its blend of robotics with computer science principles and practices. Its innovative features include:

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  • The incorporation of the official AP CSP robot (a black triangle), robot grid, and commands among the interface options, which allows students to actually run and experiment with code that controls the movements of the AP CSP robot using virtual robots and/or hardware robots. The example below shows the virtual AP CSP robot traversing a grid, and the video below it shows the hardware robot doing the same.

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  • The capability to create and run programs in both block code and AP CSP pseudocode. This feature allows students to get interactive practice with the principles and procedures of AP CSP pseudocode in preparation for the AP CSP exam.

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  • The convenience of the built-in RoboBlocky Learning Management System to make assignments and track student work.

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  • The ability to create real-time class interaction activities, prompting students with pop-up questions and recording responses in real time.

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Optional Hardware

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The APCSPR course uses the virtual robotics of the RoboBlocky learning environment to engage students visually and help build their knowledge and skills of computer programming. The course offers the additional option of using hardware "Linkbot" robots and classroom activity mats to give students real-world, hands-on experience. The Linkbot robots mirror the motions of the on-screen virtual robots, and RoboBlocky can control multiple robots simultaneously. A single Linkbot Super Kit and APCSP Activity Mat can be used for classroom demos and student exploration.

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Explore RoboBlocky and AP CSP with Robotics Curriculum

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Explore RoboBlocky here, with tutorials and user’s guides here. Teachers who are interested in teaching AP CSP with Robotics can request temporary Guest access to explore the curriculum by contacting us.

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Opportunities for Education and PD Providers

 

If your school district, county office of education, non-profit organization, or college/university would like to offer this free AP CSP with Robotics course and/or the accompanying professional development, or would like to have Barobo hold APCSP professional development at your site, please fill out and submit this form.

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